Michigan contractor license lookup: how to check and get a license
Michigan contractor license lookup: who issues home improvement contractor licenses (LARA), how to check one online, the license types, and 3,956 residential remodelers by county.
Do home improvement contractors need a license in Michigan?
| Who licenses them | Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors) |
|---|---|
| License types | Residential Builder, Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor (by trade, e.g. roofing, siding, carpentry, concrete, basement waterproofing), Residential Builder Company / M&A Company, Residential Builder Salesperson |
| When a license is required | License required when a project's total price for labor and materials is $600 or more (MCL 339.2403(f)); splitting a job into smaller contracts to stay under $600 is not allowed |
A Residential Builder can build whole homes and remodel. An M&A Contractor is limited to the trades listed on the license, so check that the trade matches your job. Unlicensed contractors can't sue to collect payment or place a lien on your home (MCL 339.2412). LARA advises getting the agreement in writing and not paying the whole job up front, but no statutory deposit cap was found.
How do you look up a home improvement contractor's license in Michigan?
- Ask the home improvement contractor for the license number and the exact business name on the license.
- Open the Michigan contractor license lookup run by LARA.
- Search by license number first. A name search can return several people or companies with similar names.
- Check that the status is active or current, that the license type covers your job, and that the name matches the company on your contract.
- If something doesn't match, ask the home improvement contractor about it before you sign or pay a deposit, or contact LARA.
What contractor licenses does Michigan issue?
- Residential Builder
- Maintenance & Alteration (M&A) Contractor (by trade, e.g. roofing, siding, carpentry, concrete, basement waterproofing)
- Residential Builder Company / M&A Company
- Residential Builder Salesperson
How do you get a contractor license in Michigan?
Licenses are issued by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Construction Codes (Residential Builders and Maintenance & Alteration Contractors). Requirements such as experience, exams, insurance and fees change, so read the current rules on the official LARA source before you apply. Already licensed? List your business on Expert Helper to get matched with customers.
Which Michigan city is the job in?
How many home improvement contractors are there in Michigan?
The Census Bureau counted 3,956 residential remodelers with employees in Michigan in 2023. The counties with the most:
| Oakland County | 549 |
|---|---|
| Wayne County | 471 |
| Macomb County | 382 |
| Kent County | 270 |
| Ottawa County | 161 |
| Washtenaw County | 152 |
| Livingston County | 119 |
| Genesee County | 109 |
What do Michigan homes mean for home improvement work?
The median home in Michigan was built in 1972, 27% of households rent and 77% of homes are single-family houses. 75% of homes heat with utility gas and 12% with electricity, and 1% with fuel oil.
How do you choose a home improvement contractor in Michigan?
- Check the contractor's license with the state or city. Many places require a home improvement license for residential work over a few hundred dollars.
- Get a written contract with the scope, materials, schedule, total price and payment schedule. Don't pay most of it upfront.
- Ask who pulls the permits. If the contractor suggests skipping a permit that the job needs, find another contractor.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers' compensation, and make sure the policy is current.
- Ask for two or three recent jobs like yours that you can see or call about.
Home Improvement Contractors in other states
Sources: Michigan licensing agency (linked above); US Census Bureau County Business Patterns 2023 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates.